Transmission



Filed. Jan. 1'7, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Hammer: 5v EBEKHARD A TTORNEY.

May 1937- H. s. EBERHARD 2,079,903

TRANSMISSION Filed Jan. 17, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 EIE E 203 INVEN TOR. Z02 Hmznou S. EBERHHRD ATTORNEY. E I g- E y 1937- H. s. EBERHARD 2,079,903

TRANSMISSION Filed Jan. 17, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 M m9 1'71 A 1 E I m- E mpg JJ I92 BY HARM N S. fi esnako E E; ATTORNEY- y 1937- H. s. EBERHARD 2,079,903

TRANSMISSION Filed Jan. 17, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

Hmznou S. EBEKHHRD ATTORNEY May 11, 1937.

EI J E INVENT OR. Hmznou S. EBEKHARD A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 11, 1937 UNITE STAES ATENT OFFICE TRANSMISSION Application January 17, 1934, Serial No. 706,921

25 Claims.

The present invention relates to vehicles, and more particularly to the provision of transmission means providing a selective change speed drive therefor.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved change speed drive for a vehicle, of a compact and simple arrangement, by means of which a plurality of forward and reverse drives can be provided for the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved change speed transmission for a vehicle, in which a plurality of shiftable gears on a plurality of shafts are selectively controlled to establish the drive connection.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved change speed transmission in which a plurality of change speed gears can be shifted simultaneously without the exertion of any unusual effort on the part of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved change speed transmission including a plurality of shiftable gears which can be shifted to operative position in selected combinations by the manipulation of a single control member.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved change speed transmission having the reverse idler gears mounted in a manner to promote compactness and simplicity of arrangement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, positive locking means for preventing unintentional movement of the shiftable gears of a transmission from their adjusted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for preventing shifting movement of the gears of a change speed transmission when a drive is being transmitted thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved latching means for the shiftable gears of a transmission, said means acting as a resilient latch when the transmission is idle and as a positive lock when the transmission is in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved latching means for the shiftable gears of a transmission control means, which is rendered operative or inoperative under control of the clutch eontrcl means controlling the drive for the transmission.

Another obj t of the invention is to provide an improved interlock between the gear shift lever and the clutch control lever of the trans mission.

Other objects will appear as the description progresses.

Description Of figures Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a tracktype tractor in which the instant invention is employed; the gear shift lever for the change speed transmission being illustrated in its relation to the other tractor controls.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the transmission case which is broken away in part to disclose the transmission mechanism.

Fig. 2A is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a modified construction of a portion of the locking means for the gear shifting mechal5 nism.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken in the plane containing the axes of the upper and lower transmission shafts.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view in a plane indicated by line 66 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 'll in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view in a plane indicated by line 99 in Fig. 8.

Figs. 10 through 17A are schematic views illustrating the arrangement of the change speed gears and the control means therefor, in the various speed drives which can be obtained thereby. The figures are in groups each of which consists of two views, one of which is designated by a numeral alone and is a developed side elevation, similar to Fig. 2, and the other of which is designated by the letter A after the numeral and is a fragmentary transverse elevation, similar to Fig. 8, illustrating the laterally displaced position of the gear shift lever.

Description of mechanism The vehicle shown herein for purposes of illustration is a track-type tractor which comprises generally transmission case I6 (Fig. 1) having cover H, which houses the change speed transmission described hereinafter. Forwardly of transmission case l6, engine I8 is provided, and rearwardly thereof operators seat 19 is positioned. The above parts are united to form a body portion which is supported on a pair of endless track mechanisms 20, one of which is indicated schematically in Fig. 1. At the operators station in front of seat IS, a plurality of tractor controls are provided including throttle control 2|, steering clutch controls 22, brake pedals 23, flywheel clutch control lever 24, and a single gear shift lever for the transmission. All the above-mentioned control members are conveniently grouped in front of seat I8 for operation by the tractor operator.

Within transmission case IS, a plurality of shafts are mounted; said shafts having a plurality of gears mounted thereon to provide for the transmission of the drive thereto at selected speeds in selected directions. In the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein, six forward and two reverse speeds are provided, any one of which can be selected by the manipulation of the single control member 25. To accomplish this purpose, a plurality of shiftable gears are grouped on certain of the shafts, which can be shifted selectively in various combinations to determine a selected speed for operation of the vehicle.

The preferred construction and arrangement of the shafts, and the gears thereon will now be described in detail. Three shafts are spaced in triangular relation within the transmission case; two of the shafts being provided with sets of shiftable gears for selectively transmitting the drives therebetween through the third shaft which is a countershaft having a plurality of non-shiftable gears positioned to be engaged by the shiftable gears. The drive from the engine is transmitted through a suitable clutch (not shown) to upper transmission, drive shaft 3| (Fig. 4) which is journaled adjacent its rear end in bearing 32 in vertical transverse wall 33 of transmission case l6, and adjacent its front end in bearing 34 in end cover 36 secured to transmission case l6 by suitable fastening means 31. Bearing 32 is held between nut 38 threaded on shaft 3| and the rear end of splined portion 39 of said shaft. Bearing 34 engages the front end of splined portion 39, and is held between retainer 4| and cover 42 secured by suitable cap screws to end cover 36. Cover 42 houses seal 43 engaging collar 44 non-rotatably mounted on shaft 3| and forming part of the clutch mechanism. Thus, the upper transmission shaft is journaled in the transmission case and extends therethrough to receive the drive from the engine through a suitable clutch.

Splined portion 39 of shaft 3| extends between wall 33 and cover 36, and provides a mounting for a plurality of axially shiftable gears comprising shiftable integral gears 46, 41 and shiftable gear 48 spaced from gears 46, 41. Gears 46, 41 and 48 provide means for transmitting the drive at a selected gear ratio from upper transmission shaft 3|, as will be described more specifically hereinafter.

A lower transmission, driven shaft provides a mounting for shiftable gears to transmit the drive thereto from drive shaft 3| through an intermediate shaft, and for a set of idler gears which are used for the reverse speed drives of the transmission. Lower transmission, driven shaft 5| (Fig. 4) is journaled adjacent its rear end in bearing 52 in wall 33, bearing 52 being secured with respect to said shaft by means of nut 53 threaded on the shaft and shoulder 54 formed on the shaft. At its front end, shaft 5| is journaled in bearing 56 in cover 36. Bearing 56 is positioned in cover 36 by means of retainer 51 and small cover 58. Splined rear portion 6| on shaft 5| provides a mounting for integral gears 62, 63 axially shiftable thereon, the gears being shiftable by means hereinafter described to transmit the drive to shaft 5|. The rear end of shaft 5| is formed with integral beveled pinion 64 which meshes with bevel gear 66 on the drive shaft 61. Drive shaft 61 extends transversely through the transmission case and serves to drive the traction devices of the tractor in any suitable manner, through a suitable final drive mechanism.

The forward end portion of shaft 5| has integral reverse idler gears 1|, 12 journaled thereon by means of bushing 13 spaced from the end of splined portion 6| by spacer 14, and from bearing 56 by spacer 15 and suitable shims. Spacer 14, gears 1|, 12, spacer 15, and bearing 56 are held between the forward end of splined portion 6|,and nut 16 threaded on the front end of shaft 5|. The bearing portion of integral gears 1|, 12

is apertured at 11 to provide for access of lubricant to bushing 13 which has a plurality of lubricant receiving apertures 18.

A third or intermediate shaft is provided for transmitting the drive from the upper or drive shaft 3| to the lower or driven shaft 5| of the a transmission; and a plurality of spaced gears are fixedly mounted on the intermediate shaft which serves as a countershaft. countershaft 8| (Figs. 4 and 8) is mounted for rotation in wall 33 and cover 36, similarly to shaft 5|, and has nonshiftable spaced gears 82, 83 and 84 fixed thereon for rotation therewith. As seen in Fig. 8, shaft 8| is offset laterally relative to shafts 3|, 5|, and has its axis disposed in triangular relation with respect to the axes of shafts 3|, 5|, whereby the II.

gears thereon can mesh with gears on both of shafts 3|, 5|, while shafts 3| and 5| are so disposed that some of the gears thereon can be directly meshed.

As noted above, the various shiftable gears on the drive and driven transmission shafts are selectively positioned to afford eight different speeds, six forward, and two reverse, and the shifted positions thereof from the neutral positions shown in Fig. 4 for the various speeds will now be described, reference being made to the schematic elevational views in Figs. 10 through 17. For convenience, the six forward speeds will be referred to from the lowest to the highest gear ratio, as first, second, third, etc. speeds, while the two reverse speeds will be termed low-reverse and high-reverse. In each figure, the direction of rotation of the active gears is indicated by arrows.

Fig. 10 illustrates the shifted position of the gears to determine the drive in first speed. To transmit the drive from drive transmission shaft 3|, gear 46 is shifted to the left from its neutral position to mesh with gear 82 on shaft 8|, as shown in Fig. 10. Gear 83 on shaft 8| is meshed with gear 63 on shaft 5| to transmit the drive thereto, said gear 63 being shifted to the right from its neutral position. The low speed ratio is obtained between gears 46 and 82; gear 46 being of smaller diameter than the gears 48 and 41 on drive shaft 3|, and gear 82 being of larger diameter than gears 83, 84.

Fig. 11 illustrates the position of the gears to determine the drive in second speed, i. e., the next to the lowest gear ratio. drive, gear 48, which is larger than gear 46, is shifted to the right from its neutral position to mesh with gear 84 on shaft 8|, while gear 63 is meshed with gear 83 to receive the drive therefrom as in Fig. 10.

To obtain this Fig. 12 illustrates the condition of the gears to determine a drive in third speed. Gear 46 is shifted to the left from its neutral position to mesh with gear 82 on shaft 8|; and gear 62 is also shifted to the left to mesh with gear 82. Gear 46 is of smaller diameter than gear 62 to obtain the desired speed ratio.

Fig. 13 illustrates the position of the gears' to determine the drive in fourth speed. To obtain this condition, gear 41 is shifted to the right from its neutral position to mesh with gear 83 on shaft 8|, which is also in mesh with gear 63 on shaft 5|; gear 63 being also shifted to the right from neutral position. Gear 41 is of slightly smaller size than gear 53 to obtain the desired speed ratio.

In Fig. 14, which illustrates the gears arranged for fifth speed drive, gear 48 is shifted to the right from neutral position to mesh with gear 34 on shaft 8|, and gear 62 is shifted to the left from its neutral position to mesh with and receive the drive from gear 82 on shaft 8|. The desired speed ratio is obtained by the relative sizes of the gears; gear 48 being smaller than gear 62, while gear 82 is of slightly greater size than gear 84.

Fig. 15, illustrating the sixth speed position of the gears, shows gear 4'! as shifted to the right from neutral position to mesh with gear 83 on shaft 8|, while gear 62 is shifted to the left from neutral position to mesh with gear 82 on shaft 8|. As gear 41 is slightly smaller than gear 83, and gear 82 is slightly larger than gear 62, the desired speed ratio is obtained.

Fig. 16 illustrates the condition of the gears to obtain the drive in low-reverse. Gear 48 is shifted to the left from neutral position to mesh with gear I! integral with gear 12. In the developed view, the meshing of gears 48 and I! is illustrated by the phantom lines extending therebetween. Gear I2 meshes with gear 84 on shaft 8% at all times, such engagement being idle except during reverse speed drives. Gear 63 is shifted to the right from neutral position to mesh with gear 83 on shaft 8| to transmit the drive therefrom to shaft 5|. It is noted that by means of idler gears II, I2 on shaft 5|, the direction of rotation of shaft 5| is reversed from that shown in the preceding figures.

Fig. 1'? illustrates the position of the gears for high-reverse speed, which is identical with that in Fig. 16, except that gear 62 is shifted to the left to mesh with gear 82 to obtain the different speed ratios afforded thereby.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that by positioning the shiftable gears on drive shaft (ii and the shiftable gears on driven shaft 5| in various combinations with respect to the gears on countershaft 8| a plurality of different drives can be obtained. It is to be noted that each of the tWo gears 45 and 4'! on drive shaft 3| can be positioned to determine a drive from shaft 3! in one position thereof, while gear 48 is shiftable to two positions to transmit a drive from shaft 3| as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 16. It is seen, also, that a drive can be transmitted to driven shaft 5| through either of gears 62, 53, in any of the shifted positions of any one of gears 46, 41, 48. Thus, for each drive from shaft 3| determined by any shifted position of any of gears 46, 4?, 48, two different drives can be transmitted to shaft 5| by means of shifting of gears 52, 63. All of the drives are in the forward direction except those effected by shifting gear 48 in the positions shown in Figs. 16 and 17. It is seen, also, that a compact, simple arrangement of the gears is provided to obtain eight different speed drives, and that one of the important contributing factors is the journaiing of the reverse idler gears Ii, I2 about the axis of the driven shaft 5|. As the description progresses, it will be noted also that the arrangement of the gears facilitates the provision of a compactly arranged and readily adjusted control means therefor.

Selective control means is provided for effecting meshing of the shiftable transmission gears with the fixed gears. in response to manipulation of a. single control member; said control means causing movement of certain of the shiftable gears in reverse directions, irrespective of the direction of movement imparted to other of said shiftable gears. The control means includes connections from the shiftable gears to rows of elements movably mounted adjacent operative d extensions on the single gear shift member or lever whereby lateral shifting, or step-by-step movement of the lever effects operative engagement of the lever extensions with selected combinations of said elements. Lateral movement of the lever is also utilized to control the direction of movement of the shiftable gears of the transmission, independently of the oscillatory movement of said lever which accomplishes meshing of the various gears.

Integral gears 46, :31 (Figs. 2 and 4) have annular groove 9| formed therebetween to receive forked, arcuately shaped extension 92 of shiftable collar 93 (Figs. 4 and 8). Shiftable gear 48 (Figs. 2 and 4) has annular groove 96 1 adapted to receive forked, arcuately shaped extension 91 of shiftable collar 88 (Fig. 8) similar to collar 83. Collars 83 and 98 are slidably mounted on parallel shafts Hill and I02 which are fixedly mounted in end brackets I83 and W4. Apertures Hi5 (Fig. 5) in collars 93, 98 provide for access of lubricant to the bearing surfaces thereof with shafts Iiii, I82. Brackets I03, W4 are secured by screws Hi6 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) to transmission case I6, and span a suitable aperture in the top wall of the case; the aperture providing for passage of forked extensions 92, 91.

Although any suitable means can be employed for fixedly securing shafts IOI, )2 in brackets I83, )4, 1 preferably utilize a single securing means which locks both of the shafts adjacent the same ends thereof to bracket Hi4. For this purpose, shafts Iiil, I02 are slotted transversely at I56 (Fig. 6) to receive respective inclined end edges 469 of lock member III. bcr IN is provided centrally thereof with aperture H2 (Fig. 7) having a frusto-conioal wall adapted to receive washer H3 having a complementary formed edge wall. A screw H4 passes through washer H3 and aperture H2, and is threaded in aperture IIB formed in bracket H34. As clearly seen in Fig. 7, when screw H4 is tightened, the wedging action of the frusto-conical surfaces of washer H3 and aperture H 2 wedge lock member III downwardly to effect tight engagement thereof with shafts IIJI, I02. Thus, shafts Ilil, I82 are securely an chored in bracket I04.

Shiftable collars 93, 98 are shiftable in either direction from a central neutral position by the gear shift lever 25 in a manner to be later described. For this purpose, the collars have lever-engaging portions, forming a row in the neutral positions thereof and which are engageable by the gear shift lever during a plurality of shifting i Lock memthe shifted positions thereof. Collars 93, 98 are provided substantially centrally thereof with vertical spaced ears or extensions I2I, I22 (Figs. 4 and 8), forming transverse slots to receive ball I23 (Fig. 4) on the lower end of gear shift lever 25. The transverse shifting of ball extension I23 of gear shift lever 25 with respect to collars 93, 98 is described more fully hereinafter.

Integral gears 62, 63 (Figs. 2 and 4) on lower transmission shaft 5I have annular groove I26 formed therebetween to receive forked extension I21 of collar I28, to provide for shifting movement of gears 62, 63. Collar I28 (Figs. 2 and 8) is similar to collars 93, 98 and is slidably mounted on shaft I29 having its ends mounted in wall 33 and cover 36. Shaft I29 is secured in position by lock member I3I, secured to cover 36 and engaged in a transverse slot in shaft I29. Spaced vertical extensions I32 are provided on collar I28 to form a transverse slot in which is en gaged ball end I33 of lever I34 (Figs. 2 and 8) pivotally mounted on stud I36 mounted on bracket I31. Bracket I31 also provides a mounting for the gear shift lever 25 and other associated parts of the control means as described hereinafter. Lever I34 (Fig. 2) is forked at its upper end to provide extensions I38 engaging opposite sides of cam I39. Cam I39 (Figs. 2 and 8) is keyed to an end of shaft I4I journaled in bosses I42 in bracket I31. Enlarged end I43 of shaft MI and nut I44 threaded on the opposite end thereof secure shaft MI in bracket I31 and also mount cam I39 securely in place. Cam I39 is engaged constantly by extensions I38; the contour of the cam being such that clockwise oscillation thereof causes like oscillation of lever I34, and counter-clockwise oscillation causes counter-clockwise oscillation of the lever.

Oscillation of cam I39, and consequently shifting movement of gears 62, 63 on shaft 5I, is controlled by a row of elements adapted for engagement with an extension on the gear shift lever 25. Lateral shifting of the gear shift lever is designed to control the direction of movement of gears 62, 63 for oscillation of the gear shift lever in any direction. Shaft I4I has spaced integral gears I46, I41 (Figs. 4 and 8) keyed thereon between bosses I42; the inner end portions of gears I46, I41 meshing with gear I48 journaled by means of a suitable bushing on shaft I49 between bosses I5I (Fig. 8) of bracket I31, in which bosses shaft I49 in positioned. Gears I46, I41 and I48 together form a reversible gearing for operating cam I39, and are positioned in bracket I31 to be engaged by arcuate rack extension I56 of gear shift lever 25. When gear shift lever 25 is in a central position, so that rack I56 engages only gear I48, then oscillation of the rack in a given direction will result in cam I39 being oscillated in one direction. However, when rack I56 is shifted laterally to either side to engage either of gears I46, I41, then cam I 39 will be oscillated in an opposite direction for the same direction of oscillation of the rack. Thus, it is seen that shaft MI and cam I39 can be shifted about their axis in either direction by engagement of rack I56 with gear I48, or with either of gears I46, I41, depending upon the lateral position of the rack.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that extensions I2I, I22 of collars 93, 98, and gears I46, I41, I48, form two transverse rows of movable elements adapted for engagement with integral extensions on the gear shift lever for selective operation thereby.

Gear shift lever 25 (Figs. 4 and 8) is fixedly keyed on shaft I6I centrally thereof; said shaft having enlarged ends I 62 slidably and rotatably engaged in respective bosses I63 of bracket I31. Thus, gear shift lever 25 is mounted for transverse or lateral movement, and for rocking movement about the axis of shaft I6I. It is also seen that gear shift lever 25 and the associated elements including gears I46, I41, I48, and forked member I34 are mounted as a unit on transmission case I6 with bracket I31, which is positioned within transmission case cover I1.

Means are provided for preventing the access of deleterious matter into the transmission case past gear shift lever 25. Lever 25 (Figs. 4 and 8) extends through an aperture in arcuate shield I1I, which is urged by spring I14 against packing member I12 in packing retainer I13. Spring I14 is seated in cup-shaped retainer I15 which is cotter-held on gear shift lever 25. Packing re- L tainer I13 (Fig. 4) is mounted by suitable screws on wall I16 of small cover I18, secured by suitable cap screws I11 to transmission case cover I1. The engagement of shield I1I with packing member I12 (Fig. 8) is maintained in any lattudinal slots I8I opening into central transverse slot I82 to control shifting movement of lever 25. Fig. 9 illustrates by marking, the position to which lever 25 must be shifted to obtain the different speeds enumerated in a preceding portion of this description.

Thus, a plurality of laterally shifted positions are provided for the gear shift lever whereby said lever may be placed in operative position with selected shiftable elements to control movement of various combinations of the shiftable transmission gears, as well as to control the direction of movement of such gears. As viewed in Fig. 8, the positioning of lever 25 in operative relation with opposed slots IBI at the extreme right meshes rack I56 with gear I46 and. positions ball end I23 between ears I2I on collar 93. In the next position of lever 25 to the left, ball end I23 remains in engagement with ears I2I, while rack I56 is shifted from engagement with gear I46 into engagement with gear I48. Hence, while gear shift lever 25 remains operatively engaged with ears I2I and the gears controlled thereby will be operated in the same manner as in the right-hand position of lever 25, reverse movement of the gears controlled from rack I56 has been determined. The next step of movement of lever 25 to the left, places ball end I23 between ears I22 of collar 98, while rack I56 remains engaged with gear I48. Thus, shifting movement of another set of shiftable gears is determined, different from that determined in the positions previously described. Further movement of lever 25 to the extreme left-hand position thereof serves to mesh rack I56 with gear I41 instead of with gear I48, thus reversing the direction of movement of the shiftable gears associated therewith; in such extreme left-hand position, ball end I23 remains in engagement between ears I22.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that a row of movable elements I 2|, I22 is provided, having lever engaging portions, each portion being adapted for operative engagement with a gear shift lever extension I23 during two steps of the lateral step-by-step positioning of the lever. Also, another row of movable elements I46, I48, I41 is provided, the intermediate element I48 of which operatively engages a gear shift lever extension I56 during the two intermediate steps of lateral shifting of the lever. Along the length of the row comprising elements I2I, I22, each element I2I or I22 is adapted for engagement by lever extension I23, simultaneously with the engagement of lever extension I56 with either of the adjacent ends of elements I46 and 548, or I48 and I41 in the other row of shiftable elements depending on the lateral position of shift lever 25. In this connection, elements I46 and I41 actually form a unit element because of their union to the same shaft I4I. Hence, the shaft element MI is engaged by extension I56 in both extreme lateral positions of shift lever 25. As a result, while rack extension I56 is engaged with gear I48, ball extension I23 can be engaged with ears I2I or ears I22, because of overlapping relationship between gear I48 and ears I2I, I22; rack extension I56 and ball extension I23 being vertically aligned. Although (Fig. 8) the ends of gear I48 intermesh with gears I46 and I41, rack I56 is prevented from oscillation when it is intermeshed with both gear I48 and gears I46 or I41, because of the intermediate extensions between guide slots I8I (Fig. 9). In effect, gear I48 acts as a reverse gear to reverse the direction of rotation of shaft I4I whenever arcuate rack I56 is in operable engagement with said gear.

The operation of the control means in response to shifting of lever 25 will now be explained in connection with Fig. 9 and the schematic views illustrated in Figs. 10 to 1'7.

Figs. 10 and 10A illustrate the conditioning of the parts when the gear shift lever has been moved in a position determining first speed drive. Referring to Fig. 10A, it is seen that lever 25 is operatively associated with gear I46 and shiftable collar 93 while reference to Fig. 10 discloses that clockwise movement of lever 25 has, through ball end I23 shifted collar 93 to the left to mesh gear 46 with gear 82 and also rocked cam I39 and forked lever I34 to shift collar I28 to the right thereby meshing gear 63 with gear 83. The drive thus determined is illustrated by the arrows, and has been described heretofore.

Fig. 15 illustrates the positions of the shiftable gears when lever 25 is positioned laterally as in Fig. 10A but is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, whereby collars 93 and I28 are shifted oppositely to their direction of movement in Fig. 10, gear 41 being meshed with gear 83, and gear 62 with gear 82. Fig. 15 illustrates the sixth speed drive.

In Fig. 12, the third speed drive is illustrated, lever 25, as shown in Fig. 12A, being adjusted to operative relation with respect to gear I48 and collar 93, that is, one step to the left from the position shown in Fig. 10A. In Fig. 12, lever 25 is rocked in a clockwise direction to shift collar to the left, meshing gear 46 with gear 82, and collar I28 is also shifted to the left to mesh gear 62 with gear 82. It is to be noted that in this position, due to the overlapping of collar 93 with respect to gears I46 and. I48, the one step movement of lever 25 determines a reversal of the direction of movement of collar I28.

In Figs. 13 and 13A, the parts are adjusted as in Figs. 12 and 12A, respectively, except that lever 25 is oscillated in a counter-clockwise direction, gears 41 and 63 being meshed with gear 83 by virtue of the reversed movement of the collars associated therewith. Fig. 13 illustrates the fourth speed drive.

Figs. 11 and 11A illustrate lever 25 positioned in another step to the left of that shown in Figs. 12A and 13A, said lever maintaining its operative engagement with gear I48, but being shifted out of engagement with collar 93 into engagement with collar 98. This movement serves to select shiftable gear 48 for control by the gear shift lever in the place of gears 46, 41. In Fig. 11, gear shift lever 25 is oscillated in a counterclockwise direction whereby gears 48 and 63 are shifted to the right to mesh respectively with gears 84 and 83, thus determining the second speed drive.

In Figs. 17 and 17A, the parts are conditioned as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 11A, respectively, but gear shift lever 25 is oscillated in a clockwise direction. Hence, gears 48 and 62 are shifted to the left to mesh respectively with gears H and 82, whereby the drive is transmitted. from gear 48 through reverse idler gears H, 12 to shaft 8|, and through gear 82 to gear 62 and shaft 5|. This positioning of the parts obtains the high-reverse drive.

In Fig. 14A, lever 25 is moved to its extreme left-hand position where it is operatively engaged with gear I41 and collar 98. Upon counter-clockwise oscillation of gear shift lever 25 as illustrated in Fig. 14, gear 48 is shifted to the right to mesh with gear 84, and gear 62 is shifted to the left to mesh with gear 82, such positioning of the parts determining the fifth speed drive of the transmission.

In Figs. 16 and 16A, gear shift lever 25 is positioned laterally as in Figs. 14 and 14A, but is oscillated in a clockwise direction, whereby gear 48 is meshed with gear H and gear 63 with gear 83. The drive, therefore, is taken from shaft 3I through gears 48, ll, 12 and 84 to shaft SI, and from shaft 8| through gears 83 and 63 to shaft 5|. The speed thus determined is the low-reverse.

It is thus seen that either of gearing 46, 41 or gearing 48 on shaft 3 I can be simultaneously shifted with the gearing 62, 63 on shaft 5|, or in other words shifted during a single shifting operation by the same control lever 25, to provide obtaining of the multiple drives described. In this connection, it will be observed from Figs. 4 and through 17A, that because end I23 of lever 25 is directly engageable in either of the slots between the ears I2I on shift collars 93 or 98 forming, respectively, part of the shifting connections to gearing 46, 41 or gearing 48, either of such gearing will be caused to move immediately upon movement of shift lever 25.

However, because of the provision of cam I39 in the shifting connection to gearing 62, 63, movement of such gearing will lag behind the movement of either of gearing 46, 41 or gearing 48 being shifted therewith; the cam having cam portions and dwell portions for this purpose as shown in Figs. 2 and 10 through 17A. This facilitates meshing of the gears when either of gearing 46, 41 or gearing 48 is shifted together with gearing 62, 63 because the lag in movement of gearing 62, 63 resulting from the provision of the cam, enables either of gearing 46, 41 or gearing 48 to start meshing with the gearing to be engaged therewith, prior to meshing of gearing 62,

63 with the gearing to be connected thereto. Hence, the operator is not faced with the problem of having to mesh two sets of gearing exactly at the same instant.

Means is provided for locking the shiftable transmission gears in any shifted position thereof to prevent accidental disengagement of said gears during driving operation of the transmission, said locking means being controlled byengagement and disengagement of the engine clutch for driving the upper transmission shaft. It will be recalled that gear shift lever in any laterally displaced position thereof is always operatively engaged with one of collars 93, 98 (Figs. 4 and 8) and with one of intermeshing gears I46, I41, I48. Consequently locking of the collars in any shifted position thereof serves not only to lock the shiftable gears controlled by said collars but also the shiftable gears controlled by said gears I46, I41, I48. Collars 93, 98 (Figs. 4 and 8) are provided with inwardly extending adjacent flanges I86; and each flange I86 is provided with a plurality of similarly spaced wedge-shaped notches I81. Associated with notches I81 in each flange I86 is a lever I88 having a key extension I89 formed complementally to the shape of notches I81. Each lever I88 is pivoted at one end thereof on pin I9I (Figs. 4 and 6) between depending ears I92 of bracket I04. The opposite ends of levers I88 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) have threaded engagement with bolts I94, extending upwardly through apertures in bracket I03 and having springs I96 compressed between bracket I03 and nuts I91 threaded on the bolts. Thus, it is seen that springs I96 and bolts I94 urge levers I88 upwardly to latching position. The resistance of springs I96 is overcome during shifting operation by the cooperating inclined cam surfaces (Fig. 4) of projections I89 and notches I81.

To look positively levers I88 in position when the shiftable transmission gears are adjusted to determine a given speed and after a pair of notches I81 are transversely aligned and engaged by respective projections I89 on levers I88, a locking member 20I is employed. Locking member 20I is pinned on shaft 202 (Figs. 3 and 4) journaled in bosses 203 of bracket I03. Rocking of shaft 202 in a counter-clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 4, places nose 204 of member 20I beneath the ends of levers I88 to lock positively levers I88 in latching engagement with shifting collars 93, 98. Shaft 202 (Fig. 3) extends through left-hand boss 203 and has arm 206 pinned thereon. The free end of arm 206 (Fig. 2) is positioned in notch 20! of shaft 208 mounted for sliding movement in boss 2I3 of bracket 2I4 secured by suitable cap screws to cover 36. Shaft 208 is also notched at 2I6 to receive an end of arm 2I'I fixed on rock shaft 2I8 suitably journaled in bracket 2I4. Also, secured on shaft 2I8 for movement therewith is twoarmed lever 2I9 having one end connected to clutch shifting mechanism HI and its other end connected to link 222. Link 222 is also pivotally connected to arm 223 on rock shaft 224 which is pivoted in cover I1 and extends therethrough (Fig. 8) to mount clutch control lever 24.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that movement of clutch control lever 24 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, rocks shaft 224; and through the described linkage, shaft 2I8 is rocked in a clockwise direction whereby shaft 208 is moved to the left and locking member 20I (Fig. 4) is moved from beneath the ends of levers I 88.

Hence, shifting collars 93, 98 are unlocked to em. able shifting of the transmission gears by lever 25. The described movement of lever 24 to the right serves to disengage the clutch which transmits the drive for the upper transmission shaft 3|. Upon movement of lever 24 to the left or clutch engaging position, shaft 208 is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby urging locking member 20I into position beneath the ends of lever I88. In the event the gears are not accurately positioned so that a notch I81 in each of the shifting collars 93, 98 is not aligned with the proper corresponding projections I89, movement of clutch control lever 24 is prevented because locking member 20I will engage the end of the lever I88 which is displaced from its latching position. Thus, an interlock is provided between the gear shift and' clutch controls 25, 24, which positively prevents movement of one of the control levers when the other is improperly conditioned.

It is seen that the transmission gears are positively locked in any shifted position thereof when the clutch is engaged and the transmission is in operation. Disengagement of the clutch serves automatically to condition transmission lever 25 for shifting of the gears. When the clutch is disengaged, and when the gears are being shifted, the latching means which projections I89, recesses I81 and spring thrust members I88 provide, enable proper positioning of the shifting members in latched position.

Should no positive interlock be desired between the gear shift and clutch control levers 24 and 25, and should it be desired that the above-described locking mechanism function only as a lock for the gear shift mechanism, the modified structure illustrated in Fig. 2A can be employed. In this construction, forked arm 23I is mounted on shaft 202, similarly to arm 206, and has its forked end embracing reduced portion 232 of shaft 233, which is mounted in boss 2I3 similarly to shaft 200. The forked end of arm 23I is positioned between a shoulder on shaft 233 and a washer 234 loosely mounted on shaft 233; the washer 234 being urged against a suitable shoulder on said shaft by spring 236 mounted on the shaft between washer 234 and nut 23! threaded on shaft 233. With the above construction, it is seen that when a lever I88 is not in latching position with respect to the associated collar 93 or 98, and clutch control lever 24 is operated to engage the clutch, spring 236 yields so that arm 23I, shaft 202, and locking member 20I are not actuated; member 20I being engaged with the end of displaced lever I 88. As a result, the clutch can be engaged, and no breakage of the parts can occur which might happen with respect to the previously described construction should the operator force lever 24 in an effort to engage the clutch. At the same time, the operator is warned by the increased resistance to movement of clutch control lever 24, that the gear shift mechanism is not properly positioned.

Therefore, I claim as my invention:

1. In a transmission, driving and driven transmission shafts; a third shaft; a plurality of gears spaced in fixed relation on said third shaft; a plurality of sets of gears slidably and non-rotatably mounted on one of said first-named shafts, said sets of gears being shiftable selectively to engage associated gears on said third shaft; and a plurality of sets of gears mounted on the other of said first-named shafts, one of said last-named sets being rotatably and nonshiftably mounted, and another of said lastnamed sets being shiftably and non-rotatably mounted; said one of said last-named sets including a gear constantly meshed with one of said third shaft gears, and a second gear positioned for engagement by one of said first-named sets of gears; said another of said last-named sets being shiftable selectively to engage associated gears on said third shaft.

2. In a transmission, driving and driven transmission shafts; a third shaft; first, second, and third gears secured in spaced-apart relation on said third shaft and rotatable therewith; a set of gears slidably and non-rotatably mounted as a unit on one of said first-named shafts, said set of gears being shiftable selectively in either direction from a neutral position to engage either said first or second gears; a second set of gears rotatably and non-slidably mounted as a unit on said one of said first-named shafts, one gear of said second set being meshed with said third gear; a third set of gears slidably and non-rotatably mounted as a unit on the other of said first-named shafts, said third set of gears being shiftable selectively in either direction from a neutral position to engage either said first or second gears; and a gear slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said other of said first-named shafts, said latter gear being shiftable selectively in either direction from a neutral position to en gage said third gear or the other of said second set of gears.

3. In a transmission, driving and driven shafts, a third shaft, a plurality of gears spaced in fixed relation on said third shaft, a plurality of gears splined on said driving shaft and shiftable to engage a selected gear on said third shaft, a plurality of gears splined on said driven shaft and shiftable to engage a selected gear on said third shaft, and other gears mounted for rotation as a unit about one of said first-named shafts, one of said other gears being constantly meshed with one of said third shaft gears.

4. In a transmission, a first shaft, a second shaft, gearing mounted for rotation with. and for axially slidable movement along said first shaft, gearing mounted for rotation with and for axially slidable movement along said second shaft, reverse gearing journaled for rotation about one of said shafts, spaced gears between said shafts and secured for rotation together, one of said spaced gears being adapted to mesh with said reverse gearing, and means for establishing any one of a plurality of driving connections between said first and second shafts through a selected combination of said shaft gearing and said spaced gears.

5. In a transmission, selective control means for a plurality of shiftable gearing; comprising a set of connections for some of said gearing, a second set of connections for other of said gearing, and a shift lever mounted for step-bystep movement, each connection having a leverengaging portion providing for operative engagement with said lever during two steps of movement of said lever, said lever-engaging portions of each set forming a row for selective engagement by said lever upon step-by-step shifting movement thereof, each lever-engaging portion of each row being associated with adjacent ends of lever-engaging portions of another row,

whereby each step of movement of said lever determines operative engagement thereof with a different pair of said lever-engaging portions 6. In a transmission, selective control means for a plurality of shiftable gearing; comprising a set of members for some of said gearing, an-- other set of members for other of said gearing, a movable shift lever having means for connecting with selected of said members, each member of one set being so arranged that it can be ceilnected with said lever when said lever is connected with any one of a plurality of members of the other set.

In a transmission, a control member mounted for step-by-step movement to shift selectively gearing to establish a driving connection, and connections for said gearing having member-engaging portions disposed in substantially parallel rows adjacent said member, said portions of one row being associated with adjacent end portions of another row, whereby each step of movement of said member determines operative engagement thereof with a different pair of said portions.

8. In a transmission, a control member mounted for movement in reverse directions to shift selectively gearing to establish a driving connection, and a plurality of connections for said gearing and cooperating with said member; at least one of said connections including reversible means for optionally reversing the movement transmitted thereby, irrespective of the direction of movement of said member.

9. In a transmission, a control member mounted 1" or shifting movement to shift selectively goal ing to establish a driving connection, a plurality of movabie elements mounted adjacent said memher, and connections from said elements for said gearing, said member having a plurality of extensions adapted for engagement with said elements to determine simultaneous shifting mcvement of some of said elements in response to movement of said member, said member being shiftable to select different combinations of said elements.

10. In a transmission, a shaft, a plurality of sets of shiftable selecting gearing mounted for rotation with and axially movable in any one opposite directions along said shaft, a secont shaft, shiftable selecting gearing mounted icr rotation with and axially movable in any one of opposite directions along said second shaft, reversing gearing journaled about one of said shafts in addition to the gearing shiftable along said shaft and engageable by one of said shiftable selecting gearing along the other of said shafts, and countershaft gearing for engagement by said shiftable selecting gearing.

11.111 a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing, a shift lever-engaging member forming part of a shift connection for one of said gearing, intermeshed gears forming part of a shift connection for other of said gearing, a shift lever having an extension to engage said member, and a rack extension forming a part of said gear shift lever for meshing with any one of said intermeshed gears simultaneously with engagement of said extension with said member.

12. In a transmission, movable means for determining the character of drive transmitted by the transmission, yieldably mounted latching means for engaging said movable means to hold said movable means in a proper position, means for establishing a drive through said transmission, and means actuated by said drive establishing means for automatically locking said latching means when a drive is transmitted including a yieldable connection for yieldably resisting establishment of said drive when said movable means is improperly positioned.

13. In a transmission, one set of shiftable gearing, another set of shiftable gearing cooperable therewith, a shifting device including a plurality of parts for simultaneously operating both sets of shiftable gearing, a latching member engageable with one of said parts to hold said device against movement, and locking means for said latching member.

14. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift lever supported for both rocking and lateral movement; a shift connection for one of said gearing having means for engagement by said shift lever in any one of a plurality of laterally shifted positions thereof; and a shift connection for another of said gearing including a rotatably mounted member, an arcuate member on said shift lever for engaging said rotatably mounted member in one of the laterally shifted positions of said shift lever while engaged with said means, and a second rotatably mounted member engaging said first mentioned rotatably mounted member and adapted to be engaged by said arcuate member in another of the laterally shifted positions of said shift lever while still engaged with said means.

15. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift lever; a shift connection for one of said gearing having means for engagement by said lever; and a shift connection for another of said gearing including a member movable by said shift lever, a cam mounted for movement with said member for effecting lag of movement between said gearing, and a lever engaging said cam.

16. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift lever; a shift connection for one of said gearing having means for direct engagement with said lever; and a shift connection for another of said gearing including a rotatably mounted member, an arcuate member connected to said shift lever for engaging said rotatably mounted member, a cam rotatable with said rotatably mounted member for effecting lag of movement between said gearing, and a lever engaging said cam.

17. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift lever; a shift connection for one of said gearing having an element for engagement by said lever in one position thereof; a second shift connection for a second of said gearing having an element for engagement by said lever in another position thereof; and an additional shift connection for additional gearing including a member movable by said shift lever and positioned adjacent said elements whereby said additional shift connection can be operated when the shift lever is engaged with either one of said elements, a cam mounted for movement with said member, and a lever engaging said cam.

18. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift member; a shift connection for one of said gearing having an element for engagement by said shift member in one position thereof; a second shift connection for a second of said gearing having an element for engagement by said shift member in another position thereof; and an additional shift connection for additional gearing including a rotatably mounted member positioned adjacent said elements, and an arcuate member connected to said shift member for engaging said rotatably mounted member simultaneously with engagement of said shift member with either of said elements.

19. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift member, a plurality of shift connections having elements for engagement by said shift member, another shift connection including a movably mounted member adjacent said elements, and means connected with said shift member for engaging said movably mounted member simultaneously with engagement of said shift member with any of said elements.

20. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift member, a plurality of shift connections having elements for engagement by said shift member, another shift connection including reversible drive establishing mechanism, and means connected with said shift member for engaging said mechanism simultaneously with engagement of said shift member with any of said elements.

21. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift member, a plurality of shift connections having elements for engagement by said shift member, another shift connection including a movably mounted member adjacent said elements, a cam for producing lag of motion connected for movement with said movably mounted member, and means connected with said shift member for engaging said movably mounted member simultaneously with engagement of said shift member with any of said elements.

22. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift member, a plurality of shift connections having elements for engagement by said shift member, another shift connection including reversible drive establishing mechanism, a cam for producing lag of motion connected for movement with said mechanism, and means connected with said shift member for engaging said mechanism simultaneously with engagement of said shift member with any of said elements.

23. Shift mechanism for a transmission having a plurality of shiftable gearing for establishing any selected one of a plurality of drives through said transmission, comprising a shift lever supported for both rocking and lateral movement; a shift connection for one of said gearing having means for engagement by said shift lever in any one of a plurality of laterally shifted positions thereof; and a shift connection for another of said gearing including a rotatably mounted member, an arcuate member movable with said shift lever for engaging said rotatably mounted member in one of the laterally shifted positions of said shift lever while engaged with said means, a second rotatably mounted member engaging said first mentioned rotatably mounted member and adapted to be engaged by said arcuate member in another of the laterally shifted positions of said shift lever while still engaged with said means, and a cam for producing lag of motion movable by said rotatably mounted members.

24. In a transmission, shiftable gearing, shifting means for said gearing, latching means for holding said shifting means in position to prevent accidental disengagement of said gearing during driving operation of said transmission, a movably mounted member engageable with said latching means for locking said latching means in said position, means for establishing a drive through said transmission and having a connection with said locking member to engage said locking member with said latching means upon establishment of the drive, and means in said connection yieldable when the locking member is in improper engagement with said latching means during establishment of the drive.

25. In a transmission, shiftable gearing, shifting means for said gearing, means cooperable with said shifting means and including a locking member for holding said shifting means in position to prevent accidental disengagement of said gearing during driving operation of said transmission, means for establishing a drive through said transmission and having a connection with said locking member to actuate said locking member to locking position upon establishment of the drive, and yieldable means in said connection.

HARMON S. EBERHARD. 

